Activities within the Five (5) Costar Project Phases

January 11, 2010 – Happy Camp Canyon[1] – Easy-to-moderate

5 miles RT – CAR POOL AVAILABLE – 8:00 a.m.

For its first mile the trail winds through a grassland adjacent to a golf course on the east. The trail then enters the canyon and continues upstream along a seasonal stream five miles to a picnic area (a little further on the hiker could climb an old road up to the Middle Range Fire Road and return along it to create an 11-mile-loop hike). The midpoint of our hike will be 2.5 miles from the trailhead with a 400’ elevation gain. NOTE: If anyone wants a moderate hike of 8 miles (total) with an elevation gain of 600’, one of the hiking leaders will accompany you.

DIRECTIONS IF CAR POOLING: In Simi Valley, take Highway 118 to the Sycamore Drive exit; drive south on Sycamore Drive 1.0 mile to the Sycamore Drive Community Center at 1692 Sycamore Drive (it’s on the left/east); park in the parking lot. NOTE: Please be at the Community Center by 8:00 a.m.

DIRECTIONS IF NOT CAR POOLING: In Simi Valley, take Highway 118 west to the New Los Angeles Avenue (Highway 118) exit; then head west 1.0 mile to Moorpark Road (Highway 23); turn right (north) and drive 2.2 miles to just before Highway 23 makes a 90-degree turn to the left (west); head straight (north) on Happy Camp Road for a very short distance to Broadway Road; turn right (east) and drive 0.3 mile to the end of Broadway Road; park in the dirt parking lot. NOTE: Be sure to pay the parking fee (fill out an envelope, place the flap of the envelope on the vehicle’s dashboard, put your payment in the envelope and seal it, and then put the envelope in the “Iron Ranger”). NOTE: Please be at the trailhead by 8:30 a.m.

January 25, 2010 – China Flat from Oak Park – Moderate 5.1 miles RT – CAR POOL AVAILABLE – 8:00 a.m.

The trailhead is at the north end of King James Court in Oak Park. The hike begins on a dirt road that steadily climbs the south-facing side of the Simi Hills via switchbacks disclosing panoramic views of Oak Park, Westlake Village, and Agoura Hills. From its crest, the trail gradually descends (about 200’) to the north into China Flat, a pleasant high, oak-dotted grassland meadow. The total elevation gain is ~1,000’.

DIRECTIONS IF NOT CAR POOLING: In Simi Valley, take Highway 118 west to Highway 23; take Highway 23 south to Highway 101; take Highway 101 3.75 miles “south” (toward L.A.) to the Lindero Canyon Road exit; turn left (north) on Lindero Canyon Road; drive 3.8 miles north/east to King James Court (on your left); drive past it 0.1 mile to Wembly Avenue (on your left); turn around and park on the north side of Lindero Canyon Road [NOT on King James Court] and wait for the hiking leader. NOTE: Please be at the trailhead by 8:30 a.m.

February 8, 2010 – Solstice Canyon[2] – Moderate 4 miles RT

CAR POOL AVAILABLE – 8:00 a.m.

This loop hike begins on the Rising Sun Trail and climbs steadily up the eastern canyon wall providing ever-improving views of the canyon and the surrounding mountains. The trail then descends to heavily shaded Tropical Terrace, the ruins of the Roberts home which was built along Solstice Creek in the 1950s and was destroyed by wildfire in 1982. The stone courtyard, garden terraces, stairways, and exotic tropical plants still remain. Year-round Solstice Canyon Falls is located a short distance upstream from the ruins. The return to the parking lot follows the shady Solstice Canyon Trail along the creek.

DIRECTIONS IF NOT CAR POOLING: In Simi Valley, take Highway 118 west to Highway 23; take Highway 23 south to Highway 101; take Highway 101 10 miles “south” (toward L.A.) to the Las Virgenes Road exit; then head south (toward the ocean) approximately 9.6 miles on Las Virgenes Road (the name changes to Malibu Canyon Road after a few miles) to Pacific Coast Highway; turn right (west) and drive 2.3 miles to Corral Canyon Road and turn right (there’s a Union 76 station just past the turnoff). After turning onto Corral Canyon Road, continue 0.2 mile to the gated entrance (which will be open) on the left; turn left and drive 0.3 mile to the parking lot at road’s end. Park your vehicle and wait for the hiking leader. NOTE: Please be at the trailhead by 8:45 a.m.

February 22, 2010 – Chivo Canyon[3] – Easy-to-moderate 4 miles RT

The trail heads north from the small dam at the mouth of the canyon until it reaches the head of the canyon; the return route is the same (in reverse). NOTE: If anyone wants a more challenging hike of 5 miles (total) with an additional elevation gain of ~400’, one of the hiking leaders will accompany you on the “Buckhorn Trail” which leads uphill to the dirt road atop the east ridge from which there are views of the entire area. The return route will head south along the ridge until the trail (a dirt road) descends steeply to Cottonwood Drive.

DIRECTIONS: In Simi Valley, take Highway 118 to Yosemite Avenue; drive 1.9 miles north to Westwood Street; turn right (north) on Westwood Street; park in the first block, if possible, or along the north side of Copper Ridge Court (the first street on the right). Please try to minimize the impact on the residents of the neighborhood. NOTE: Yosemite Avenue’s name changes to Cottonwood Drive just before Westwood Street.

NOTE: Please be at the trailhead by 8:30 a.m.

March 8, 2010 – Malibu Creek State Park[4] – Moderate 5.4 miles RT

CAR POOL AVAILABLE – 8:00 a.m.

The trail begins at the former [Ronald] Reagan Ranch and heads through rolling grassland and woods to Century Lake and the M.A.S.H site. Wildlife that might be seen in the area includes great blue herons, mallard ducks, American coots, turtles, and fish.

DIRECTIONS IF NOT CAR POOLING: In Simi Valley, take Highway 118 west to Highway 23; take Highway 23 south to Highway 101; take Highway 101 6.25 miles “south” (toward L.A.) to the Kanan Road exit; turn right (south) on Kanan Road and drive 1/3 (one-third) mile to Cornell Road (there’s a sign); veer left onto Cornell Road and drive 2.25 miles to Mulholland Highway; continue through the intersection 120 yards and then turn left, park in the dirt/gravel parking lot on the left, vehicle and wait for the hiking leader. NOTE: Please be at the trailhead by 8:45 a.m.

March 22, 2010 – Wildwood Park[5] – Moderate 4.5 miles RT

CAR POOL AVAILABLE – 8:00 a.m.

This loop hike follows the Mesa Trail to the Stagecoach Bluff Trail to the Lizard Rock Trail to the Wildwood Canyon Trail to Paradise Falls then to the Indian Creek Trail. Most of the second half of the trail is shaded and the falls are spectacular (given normal annual rainfall). The total elevation gain is ~700’.

DIRECTIONS IF NOT CAR POOLING: In Simi Valley, take Highway 118 to Madera Road; take Madera Road south past Wood Ranch where the road’s name changes to Olsen Road; continue on Olsen road under Highway 23 and then past California Lutheran University; 1.5 miles beyond the university, turn right (west) on Avenida de los Arboles (Olsen Road’s name changes to Lynn Road just before you turn); drive 0.8 mile and turn left into the large dirt parking lot; park your vehicle and wait for the hiking leader. NOTE: Please be at the trailhead by 8:30 a.m.

April 5, 2010 – Charmlee Wilderness Park[6] – Moderate 4.5 miles –

CAR POOL AVAILABLE – 8:00 a.m.

This area (also known as the Charmlee Natural Area) overlooks Malibu and the Pacific Ocean on its south side. It contains live oak woodlands, coastal sage scrub, and grassy meadows. The hike follows the Botany Trail to the Fire Ecology Trail to an ocean overlook, then other trails to an old reservoir and the ruins of the original ranch house. The total elevation gain is ~500’.

DIRECTIONS IF NOT CAR POOLING: In Simi Valley, take Highway 118 to west to Highway 23; take Highway 23 south to Highway 101; head “south” (toward Los Angeles) 2.25 miles to the Westlake Blvd exit. Then drive south (toward the ocean) on Westlake Blvd (Hwy 23); drive 5.4 miles to the junction with Mulholland Highway; stay on the right [don’t turn left]. At 7.2 miles the road splits into Decker Canyon Road (Hwy 23) to the left and Mulholland Highway to the right; stay to the left [don’t turn right]. At 8.0 miles turn left (on Lechusa Road) at the road sign stating “1 mile to Charmlee Wilderness Park”). NOTE: Lechusa Road becomes Encinal Canyon Road 0.1 mile from its junction with Decker Canyon Road. At 9.3 miles turn right into Charmlee Wilderness Park (there’s a sign, but it would be easy to drive past it due to the road curving to the left). Drive 0.25 mile to the parking lot on the right and park. NOTE: Please be at the trailhead by 8:45 a.m.

NOTE: Be sure to pay the parking fee (extract an envelope, remove the blue “PERMIT” slip of paper from the envelope, insert your payment in the envelope, insert the envelope containing the money into the slot in the “Iron Ranger,” and then place the blue “PERMIT” slip on the dashboard of your vehicle).

April 19, 2010 – Long Canyon Trail[7]/Oak Canyon Trail Loop

Moderate 4 miles RT

The hike begins at the Long Canyon trailhead on the south side of Wood Ranch. The trail ascends 400’ in the first 0.7 mile (from there the trail is mostly downhill or nearly level). The trail heads eastward along old dirt ranch roads to the shady Oak Canyon Trail which follows a seasonal stream downstream until it meets the Montgomery Canyon trailhead; it then continues through Oak Canyon. The remainder of the hike is along the pleasant Long Canyon Road. NOTE: If anyone wants a more challenging hike of 5 ½ miles (total) with an additional elevation gain of ~400’, one of the hiking leaders will accompany you on the Montgomery Canyon trail which rises to and descends from a ridge that affords views to the west; in this option, most of the Oak Canyon Trail will be skipped.

DIRECTIONS: In Simi Valley, take Madera Road to Wood Ranch Parkway; drive south on Wood Ranch Parkway until it ends at Long Canyon Road; turn right (west), then immediately turn left into the parking lot. NOTE: Please be at the trailhead by 8:30 a.m.

May 3, 2010 – Westward Beach to Point Dume[8] to Paradise Cove

Easy 5 miles RT -- CAR POOL AVAILABLE – 8:00 a.m.

The trail leads up and over Point Dume to Dume Beach and then along the beach for a couple of miles to Paradise Cove (a site used in movies and TV series, including The Rockford Files), the Paradise Cove Beach Café (with its free-to-the-public beach chairs), and the nearby pier. The return hike follows the beach back to Point Dume where there are observation points for whale, seal, and dolphin watching.

DIRECTIONS IF NOT CAR POOLING: In Simi Valley, take Highway 118 west to Highway 23 (south) to Highway 101; take Highway 101 6.25 miles “south” (toward L.A.) to the Kanan Road exit; turn right (south) on Kanan Road and drive 12.5 miles to Pacific Coast Highway; turn right (west) and drive 0.9 mile to Westward Beach Road; turn left and drive 0.5 mile to the booth at the entrance to the parking lot. Pay the parking fee, drive on to the first bathroom building, park nearby, and wait for the hiking leader. NOTE: Please be in the Westward Beach parking lot by 8:45 a.m.

May 17, 2010 – Devil Canyon[9] – Moderate 5 miles RT

CAR POOL AVAILABLE – 8:00 a.m.

The trail (not the steep access route we used on 4/20/09) leads down into Devil Canyon, north of Chatsworth, and then follows the shady creek upstream along what’s left of the old Devil Canyon Motorway. It reaches a junction with the Ybarra Canyon trail at a large dam and then continues on upstream. The midpoint of our hike will be 2.5 miles from the trailhead with a 400’ elevation gain. NOTE: If anyone wants a moderate hike of 7 miles (total) with an elevation gain of 600’, one of the hiking leaders will accompany you on up the canyon.

DIRECTIONS IF NOT CAR POOLING: In Simi Valley, take Highway 118 east to the Topanga Canyon Blvd exit; when exiting get in the left lane on the exit ramp; turn left (north) and get in the right lane as you drive under Hwy 118. Turn left (west) on Poema Place and drive 0.25 mile uphill as the road curves northward to the second driveway on the right into Summerset Village (11500 to 11524 North Poema Place). Park on Poema Place [NOT in Summerset Village] and wait for the hiking leader. NOTE: Please arrive at Poema Place by 8:30 a.m.

June 7, 2010 – Carpinteria Bluffs[10], Seal Sanctuary, Bates Beach Picnic Lunch (self-provided) – Easy 5 miles RT

CAR POOL AVAILABLE – 8:00 a.m.

The outbound portion of this hike is along the Carpinteria Bluffs from Rincon Park to Tar Pit Park; the return trip is on the beach – an opportunity to wade in the water! Both parks offer rest rooms, picnic tables, and chipmunks. We’ll plan to eat our picnic lunches (that we each bring ourselves) at Rincon Park at the end of the hike. The picnic tables are covered by a roof and afford a great view of the ocean, surfers, ships, and oil rigs. The total elevation gain/loss on this hike is less than 100’. NOTE: This hike has been scheduled so that the beach portion of the hike will be as close to low tide as possible (according to www.saltwatertides.com); this means tide pools, fewer rocks, and more sand to walk on!

DIRECTIONS IF NOT CAR POOLING: In Simi Valley, take Highway 118 west to Highway 23; take Highway 23 south to Highway 101; take Highway 101 40 miles “north” (toward Santa Barbara) to the Bates Road exit; turn left and drive under Hwy 101; turn right on S. Via Real [the first right turn you can make] and drive up into the parking lot; park near the covered picnic tables and wait for the hiking leader. Please arrive in the parking lot by 9:00 a.m.

June 21, 2010 – Big Sycamore Canyon[11] to the Beach – Moderate 9 miles – CAR POOL AVAILABLE – 8:00 a.m.

Note: A shuttle will be provided to return from the beach to the trailhead parking lot after lunch.

Nearly the entire hike is very gradually downhill along the wide bottom of the canyon on a fire road. Highlights are the Satwiwa Native American Indian Cultural Center, Danielson Ranch, towering sycamore and oak trees, and a free, catered lunch on shaded picnic tables at the beach with a great view of the ocean.

NOTE: YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THIS HIKE NO LATER THAN JUNE 16, 2010 (but no earlier than May 24, 2010)

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June 21, 2010 – Big Sycamore Canyon to the Beach -- continued

DIRECTIONS IF NOT CAR POOLING: In Simi Valley, take Highway 118 to Madera Road; take Madera Road south past Wood Ranch where the road’s name changes to Olsen Road; continue on Olsen road under Highway 23; then drive 6.2 miles to Highway 101 (the name of Olsen Road has changed to Lynn Road); continue 4.0 miles to Wendy Drive; turn left (south) on Wendy Drive and drive 0.6 miles to Potrero Road; turn left and park immediately in the dirt parking area on the right (south) side of the road; wait for the hiking leader. NOTE: The length of this route is 15 miles. NOTE: Alternatively you can take Hwy 118 to Hwy 23 to Hwy 101, “north” to Wendy Drive, south to Potrero Road. NOTE: Please be at the trailhead by 8:30 a.m.

[1] Happy Camp Canyon Regional Park information – http://www.lamountains.com/parks.asp?parkid=18

[2] Solstice Canyon – http://www.nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/solsticecanyon.htm

[3] Chivo Canyon – “chivo” means “goat” in Spanish

[4] Malibu Creek State Park information – http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=614

[5] Wildwood Park loop hike – http://www.cosf.org/website/html/lizard-waterfall-creek.html

[6] Charmlee Wilderness Park (aka Charmlee Natural Area) information – http://www.ci.malibu.ca.us/index.cfm?fuseaction=DetailGroup&CID=3801&NavID=174

[7] Long Canyon Trail – http://www.rsrpd.org/park/longcanyontrail/longcanyontrailmaps.html

[8] Point Dume State Beach – http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=623 AND http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/623/files/PtDumeBrochure.pdf

[9] Devil Canyon – http://venturacountytrails.org/News/0046-HikingDevilsCanyon/NewsPage.htm

[10] Carpinteria Bluffs/Seal Sanctuary – http://www.thishikingtrail.com/displayhike.php?hike=654&loc=SB

[11] Big Sycamore Canyon information – http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/BigSycamore_4472.asp